Steelheads Give Up Third Period Lead Before Losing To Thunder 6-5 In Shootout
November 12, 2006 - ECHL (ECHL)
Idaho Steelheads News Release
Boise, ID - Despite leading by two goals in the third period, the Steelheads had to settle for a 6-5 shootout loss to the Stockton Thunder in the final game of their three-game series on Sunday afternoon in front of 3,229 fans at Qwest Arena.
The Steelheads (8-1-1-1) got a goal from defenseman Darrell Hay in the shootout, while the Thunder's fifth shooter, Tim Sestito, scored to win the game for the visitors. Brendon Hodge also scored in the shootout for the Thunder (7-1-0-1). In the series, which began on Friday, the Steelheads picked up four of a possible six points. They still lead the West Division by six points over the Alaska Aces and Phoenix Road Runners.
For the second straight night, the Steelheads scored the game's first goal as Derek Nesbitt hammered a one-timer past Thunder goaltender Cam Ellsworth (22 saves) at 5:29 of the frame. After a failed clearing attempt by Thunder defenseman Jeff Lang, Marty Flichel fed Hay who swung the puck to Mike Gabinet. Gabinet then sent a cross-ice pass to the right circles to Nesbitt for his sixth goal of the campaign.
The Thunder tied the match with a power play goal of their own at 12:51. During a five-on-three advantage, Mike Lalonde got to a loose puck in the crease a fired the puck past Steelheads' goaltender John Daigneau (30 saves). Tyler Spurgeon who threw the puck off Daigneau from along the goal line, and defenseman Beau Geisler got the helpers.
With the Thunder on another power play, the Steelheads struck short handed to take their second lead of the afternoon. Defenseman Kory Scoran dug the puck free from the Steelheads' defensive zone and pushed the puck free for Flichel just in front of the Steelheads' bench. Flichel's breakaway goal beat Ellsworth over his glove hand for team-leading ninth of the season, which extended his scoring streak to 11 games, the longest in the ECHL. He has now tallied at least once in six straight games.
Just 59 seconds later, the Thunder tied the game at two converting again on the man advantage. Defenseman Tim O'Connell got his second goal in as many nights, ripping a shot from the point past Daigneau. Hodge got the only assist.
The Steelheads responded again before intermission with an even-strength goal by Tuomas Mikkonen, his fourth of the season. Lance Galbraith and Francis Wathier set up the goal at 18:42.
At 2:10 of the second period the Steelheads would take a 4-2 lead on Jeremy Yablonski's first of the season. Steelheads' winger Taggart Desmet got to a failed clear by Ellsworth and fed Yablonski who settled the puck down in the slot before beating Ellsworth over his left shoulder.
Geisler's power play goal at 9:59 of the stanza cut the lead in half, with Steve Slonina and Hodge getting the helpers.
The Steelheads got their two-goal lead back at 14:58 of the frame on Galbraith's sixth of the season. Wathier got his second assist as he found Galbraith cutting through the slot and the veteran winger deked Ellsworth and slipped the puck into the open net.
In the third period, Troy Bodie scored unassisted at 6:12, off a Steelheads defensive turnover to make the score 5-4. Then at 9:55, Sestito scored on a shorthanded breakaway, beating Daigneau to his blocker side. It was the Thunder's first shorthanded goal as Mike Lalonde got the lone assist.
With the score tied at five, Steve Silverthorn (6 saves) came in to replace Daigneau. Daigneau has now been pulled in both of his professional starts, as Silverthorn has appeared in all 11 Steelheads games this season.
After a scoreless overtime, it was on to the shootout, where Sestito eventually won it. The final shots favored the Thunder at 42-27. The Steelheads went one-for-seven with the power play, while the Thunder finished two-for-11.
The Steelheads hit the road for a five-game, 10-day trip beginning Saturday night, November 18 against the Bakersfield Condors. Don't forget Steelheads' fans, single-game tickets can be purchased via www.idahosteelheads.com
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